Jen Pawol to Umpire Historic MLB Series in Atlanta

Jen Pawol, a 48-year-old from New Jersey, is set to become the first woman to umpire a regular-season Major League Baseball game during the Miami Marlins-Atlanta Braves series in Atlanta. She will work the bases for Saturday’s doubleheader and serve as home plate umpire for Sunday’s game, marking a historic milestone for gender representation in MLB. Pawol has spent nearly a decade in the minor leagues, reached Triple-A in 2023, and umpired spring training games in 2024. Her debut comes as MLB continues to diversify at a slower pace than other major American sports leagues. The move has been widely celebrated but also comes amid heightened scrutiny of umpiring standards. Pawol faces the dual challenge of breaking a significant gender barrier and performing under intense public and professional scrutiny.